Actor who played Hasina in a film by Benegal jailed

DHAKA: Bangladesh's leading actress Nusraat Faria, who portrayed former PM Sheikh Hasina in a Mujib biopic directed by renowned Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal, was sent to jail on Monday in connection with an attempt to murder case linked to last year's anti-govt protests. A day ago, Faria was detained at Dhaka airport while attempting to travel to Thailand. She was sent to jail on a court order.

Seventeen actors, including Faria, were named in an attempt to murder case filed April 29.

"Our team went to the airport based on information from immigration police," said inspector Sujan Haque. Amid widespread criticism of the Muhammad Yunus govt over the arrest, cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki called it an "embarrassing incident". He said such actions must be taken with greater caution. "I believe Faria will receive legal remedy through due process". He said govt's stated policy is to avoid arbitrary arrests in broad cases, particularly where preliminary probe does not indicate an individual's involvement.